How did $82,000 in tools vanish from Home Depot? A bold shoplifting scheme raises alarms
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Most of us think of shoplifting as someone quietly slipping something small into a bag or pocket.
But a recent case involving a group of men at Home Depot shows just how far some thieves are willing to go—and how quickly it can add up.
In what authorities are calling an organized retail theft operation, four men managed to steal more than $82,000 in tools and equipment, all while blending in with everyday shoppers.
It’s a story that reminds us just how much retail crime has evolved—and why it’s becoming a growing concern for stores across the country.
On the surface, it was just another afternoon at Home Depot.
Shoppers were browsing for home improvement supplies, but among them was a group of men with a very different plan.
Identified later as the Delasancha brothers, Jose and Luis, along with Agustin Garfiaz and Everardo Carillo-Avilez, the crew set out to steal not just a few items—but entire shelves of merchandise.
The trick that let them walk right out
According to investigators, the group first disabled the store’s security systems—though exact methods weren’t shared publicly.
With cameras and alarms reportedly down, they loaded carts with high-value items, then simply walked out of the store as if everything had been paid for.
It wasn’t just one bold attempt.
Over time, their actions totaled more than $82,000 in losses for the company.
Also read: This woman's sneaky self-checkout trick got her banned from every Walmart—learn what NOT to do!
From hardware aisle to online marketplace
The stolen goods didn’t sit in storage for long.
Authorities say Garfiaz and Carillo-Avilez helped the Delasancha brothers resell the items online.
It was a well-planned operation, designed for profit, and for a while, it looked like they might get away with it.
But the law caught up
Eventually, their actions caught the attention of California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta.
“If you steal from businesses to line your own pockets, we will hold you accountable,” he said after announcing their arrest and sentencing.
Jose and Luis Delasancha were sentenced to four years in prison.
Garfiaz and Carillo-Avilez received two years of felony probation.
Also read: You won’t believe the new “inconvenient” step grocery customers face as soon as they enter
More than just one case
While this story made headlines, it’s part of a larger pattern.
Big retailers like Home Depot, Walmart, and Target are all reporting an increase in creative shoplifting tactics—from barcode swapping to fake jewelry switches.
Here are a few examples:
Also read: Discover the 'insane' new strategy Walmart is using to put an end to self-checkout thefts – could it affect your shopping experience?
What you can do
As everyday shoppers, we all play a role in keeping our communities safe. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Shoplifting might seem like someone else’s problem, but the effects are far-reaching.
Organized retail theft leads to higher prices, lost jobs, and strained resources for businesses.
It also puts workers at risk and affects the overall shopping experience for honest customers.
Retailers are now boosting security and working closely with law enforcement to stop these crimes before they escalate.
Read next: Free wash? See the “humiliating” punishment Walmart enforces on shoplifters
Have you ever witnessed a shoplifting incident? Do you think stores are doing enough to protect themselves and their customers? Or maybe you’ve got a story about how you helped stop something suspicious? We’d love to hear your experience. Together, we can help keep our neighborhoods safe, secure, and fair for everyone.
But a recent case involving a group of men at Home Depot shows just how far some thieves are willing to go—and how quickly it can add up.
In what authorities are calling an organized retail theft operation, four men managed to steal more than $82,000 in tools and equipment, all while blending in with everyday shoppers.
It’s a story that reminds us just how much retail crime has evolved—and why it’s becoming a growing concern for stores across the country.
On the surface, it was just another afternoon at Home Depot.
Shoppers were browsing for home improvement supplies, but among them was a group of men with a very different plan.
Identified later as the Delasancha brothers, Jose and Luis, along with Agustin Garfiaz and Everardo Carillo-Avilez, the crew set out to steal not just a few items—but entire shelves of merchandise.
Authorities say the crew behind the Home Depot theft loaded carts with high-value tools and walked out undetected. Image Source: YouTube / Inside Edition.
The trick that let them walk right out
According to investigators, the group first disabled the store’s security systems—though exact methods weren’t shared publicly.
With cameras and alarms reportedly down, they loaded carts with high-value items, then simply walked out of the store as if everything had been paid for.
It wasn’t just one bold attempt.
Over time, their actions totaled more than $82,000 in losses for the company.
Also read: This woman's sneaky self-checkout trick got her banned from every Walmart—learn what NOT to do!
From hardware aisle to online marketplace
The stolen goods didn’t sit in storage for long.
Authorities say Garfiaz and Carillo-Avilez helped the Delasancha brothers resell the items online.
It was a well-planned operation, designed for profit, and for a while, it looked like they might get away with it.
But the law caught up
Eventually, their actions caught the attention of California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta.
“If you steal from businesses to line your own pockets, we will hold you accountable,” he said after announcing their arrest and sentencing.
Jose and Luis Delasancha were sentenced to four years in prison.
Garfiaz and Carillo-Avilez received two years of felony probation.
Also read: You won’t believe the new “inconvenient” step grocery customers face as soon as they enter
More than just one case
While this story made headlines, it’s part of a larger pattern.
Big retailers like Home Depot, Walmart, and Target are all reporting an increase in creative shoplifting tactics—from barcode swapping to fake jewelry switches.
Here are a few examples:
- At Walmart, a shopper swapped a real diamond ring for a fake one and nearly got away with it.
- Another person used a $1 barcode from a watch battery to scan expensive items at self-checkout.
- A delivery driver reportedly pocketed more than $50,000 in fraudulent charges.
Also read: Discover the 'insane' new strategy Walmart is using to put an end to self-checkout thefts – could it affect your shopping experience?
What you can do
As everyday shoppers, we all play a role in keeping our communities safe. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Stay alert: If something feels off, let store staff know. Your instincts might help prevent a major loss.
- Use self-checkout honestly: Skipping an item might seem harmless, but it’s theft—and stores are using new technology to catch it.
- Support honest businesses: Whether it’s a large chain or a local shop, theft hurts businesses and communities. Choosing to shop responsibly helps everyone.
Shoplifting might seem like someone else’s problem, but the effects are far-reaching.
Organized retail theft leads to higher prices, lost jobs, and strained resources for businesses.
It also puts workers at risk and affects the overall shopping experience for honest customers.
Retailers are now boosting security and working closely with law enforcement to stop these crimes before they escalate.
Read next: Free wash? See the “humiliating” punishment Walmart enforces on shoplifters
Have you ever witnessed a shoplifting incident? Do you think stores are doing enough to protect themselves and their customers? Or maybe you’ve got a story about how you helped stop something suspicious? We’d love to hear your experience. Together, we can help keep our neighborhoods safe, secure, and fair for everyone.
